The Value of Information Security for an Organisation
2nd Feb 2018
Information technology is such a vital component for any organisation. Our reliance on IT means that we must always ensure that our systems and data are secure from both internal and external threats. The information security acronym ‘CIA’ best describes the importance and purpose of information security. CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Data should only be accessible to the right people (confidential), it should be accurate (integrity) and able to be accessed when needed (availability). Find out more about how information security adds value and learn about Tier4’s IT Auckland services.
How Information Security Adds Value
As information security works in the background, it is often not appreciated for the value it adds to businesses. Information security adds value by preventing and mitigating risks. It is essentially a prevention and mitigation asset. Unplanned downtime can cost businesses a lot of time and money. The cost of a security threat to your information system can have a significant impact on your business. Being unprepared against threats is not a risk worth taking.
With data and privacy being such as a strong topic of discussion lately, it is vital for businesses to protect their customers’ personal information. Your customers trust you with their sensitive information and they expect that their data is both secure and confidential. Information security adds value by fulfilling customer expectations and building trust.
Best Practices For Securing Your Organisation
If you approach everything from the CIA perspective, you can already mitigate many security risks. Here are some best practices to reduce the risk posed by security threats.
- Restrict access to those who need it. Ensure that people in your organisation only have access to information they actually need for their role and that it can only be accessed from specific devices.
- Keep your software up to date. Out-of-date software is a culprit for many avoidable threats. There is a reason your Windows computer forces you to update and install the latest updates. Keeping software up to date is an easy method of mitigating threats your system.
- Back up your data. Threats can come from anywhere, from damaged hardware to cybersecurity threats. Having your data backed up is one way of ensuring that if an attack does happen, you won’t lose all of your valuable data.
- Use two-factor authentication. For example, with your email accounts, ensure that all account setups and logins require two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of protection against hacking threats.
- Be cautious with your third party vendors. As many businesses work with third party vendors, it is important to keep an eye on these parties and the information you share with them. One solution is to provide them with a temporary account and password and limit their access to the information they need. When the job or contract ends make sure to reset their passwords and revoke their access.
Educating employees with cybersecurity best practices ensures that everyone is on the same page when it comes to security. A perfect time to do this is when a new employee joins your organisation. Holding an annual training meeting about best practices is another great way to make sure everyone is up to date.
Tier4 Business Continuity Services
Tier4 is one of Auckland’s leading Computer IT Support companies. Our Business Continuity Services include remote monitoring, continuous Back-up, offsite Back-up, Managed Anti-Virus and Managed Firewall services. We minimise and prevent the risk of cyber-attacks by using the latest software coupled with our team of IT experts. Find out more about our Technical Computer Support services or enquire today for a consultation.
